Looking to grow your savings without flipping your budget upside down? By pairing the right credit card with a bonus interest savings account, you could earn up to a hefty 7.8% p.a. just by spending on essentials and crediting your salary.

This guide will steer you through the top combos, how they work their magic, and which ones are the best for your lifestyle.

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1. Make your idle cash work harder

Most regular savings accounts offer a paltry 0.05% p.a. in interest. But combine your account with a linked credit card and credit your salary monthly, and you could be looking at 3% to 5% p.a. on up to S$100,000. That’s a serious upgrade for doing what you’re already doing — spending on groceries, bills, and your weekend bubble tea.

2. Get rewarded for both your spending AND your saving

This isn’t just about cashback or miles. With a combo account, your spending unlocks bonus interest on your savings too. It's like getting two rewards for the price of one — reward points upfront, and interest at the end of the month.

3. Build good financial habits

Meeting these bonus interest requirements means:

• Spending within budget

• Credit salary regularly

• Using GIRO or PayNow for bills

Do that consistently, and you're on track to grow your wealth without thinking twice.

>> More : Top savings accounts in Singapore to help your money work harder

Interest with a bit of a tiered structure

Think of it like levels. You start with a basic interest rate (around 0.05% p.a. – the starting point). 

Then, you unlock bonus interest by doing certain things:

• Salary crediting via GIRO: The most common one for working Singaporeans.

• Monthly credit card spend: Using your linked card for your usual expenses.

• Paying 3+ bills via GIRO: Automating those recurring payments.

• Sometimes: Even having investments or insurance with the same bank can give you a boost.

The more "levels" you unlock, the higher your overall interest rate.

Common lingo you'll want to know

• Effective interest rate (EIR): This is the actual interest rate you'll see after you've done all the things to get the bonuses.

• Qualifying spend: This usually means your everyday purchases on the card, but often doesn't include things like topping up your EZ-Link (AXS), loading your GrabPay, or paying bills directly. Each bank has its own list, so take a look.

• Interest caps: The super high bonus rates usually only apply to a certain amount of your savings, like the first S$50,000 or S$100,000. Anything above that earns the regular (lower) rate.

Product details

• Earn bonus interest on your UOB One Account by spending on your UOB One Card and crediting your salary.

• Tiered bonus interest based on meeting both spending and salary credit criteria.

• Higher spending tiers unlock higher bonus interest rates.

• Maximum bonus interest applies to account balances up to S$100,000.

• Base interest rate applies if criteria are not met.

SingSaver’s take

The UOB One combo offers one of the highest potential interest rates in Singapore, but it requires meeting both spending and salary credit conditions. It's a good option for disciplined spenders with a regular income who can consistently meet the higher spending tiers for maximum returns.

Read full review

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OCBC 365 Card + OCBC 360 Account — Flexible bonuses with lower spend threshold

Product details

• Earn bonus interest on your OCBC 360 Account by spending on your OCBC 365 Card and crediting your salary.

• Offers partial bonuses if you meet some, but not all, of the criteria (e.g., just salary credit or just card spend).

• Additional bonus interest tiers for increasing account balance and investing/insuring with OCBC.

• Maximum bonus interest applies to account balances up to S$100,000.

SingSaver’s take

The OCBC 360 combo provides a more flexible approach to earning bonus interest, allowing you to benefit even if you don't meet all the conditions every month. The lower spending requirement makes it accessible to a wider range of users, and the additional bonus tiers reward deeper engagement with OCBC products.

Read full review 

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Product details

• Earn bonus interest on your Maybank SaveUp Account by having at least 3 qualifying product relationships with Maybank (e.g., credit card spend, salary credit, home loan, insurance, investments).

• Even a small spend on the Maybank Platinum Visa qualifies towards the product relationship count.

• Maximum bonus interest applies to account balances up to S$50,000.

SingSaver’s take

The Maybank SaveUp combo offers a different approach to earning bonus interest, focusing on the number of Maybank products you use rather than a specific spending or salary credit amount. This can be beneficial for those who already have multiple relationships with Maybank.

Read full review 

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DBS Multiplier Account + POSB Everyday Card — Flexible combo for varied income streams

Product details

• Earn bonus interest on your DBS Multiplier Account by crediting your income (salary or dividends) and transacting in at least one other eligible category.

• Eligible transaction categories include: DBS/POSB credit card spend, investments, home loan, insurance, and PayLah! retail spends.

• Higher bonus interest tiers are unlocked by engaging in more transaction categories and with higher amounts.

• Spending on DBS/POSB credit cards, such as the POSB Everyday Card, directly contributes to the 'credit card spend' category for bonus interest.

• Maximum bonus interest applies to account balances up to S$100,000.

SingSaver’s take

The DBS Multiplier combo stands out for its flexibility in rewarding both spending and saving. It's particularly well-suited for individuals with varied income streams or those who prefer not to rely solely on salary crediting to unlock bonus interest. By actively using DBS/POSB credit cards and other financial products, users can maximise their returns on their savings.

Read full review

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For young professionals just starting out

Recommended combo: UOB One Card + UOB One Account

Why it works: You’re likely earning a steady income and already spending S$500+ monthly on essentials like food, phone bills, and transport. This combo is low-maintenance but high-reward if you meet two simple criteria: salary credit and card spend.Estimated interest: ~3.85% to 5% p.a.

Bonus tip: Start with the S$500 spend tier — it’s the most accessible.

For those sitting on a larger savings pot

Recommended combo: OCBC 365 Card + OCBC 360 Account

Why it works: You’ve got more than S$50,000 in the bank and want to put it to work. The OCBC 360 combo rewards you even if you don’t hit all the criteria — and offers higher interest if you already have insurance or investments with OCBC.

Estimated interest: ~3.0% to 4.65% p.a.

Bonus tip: Consider parking your emergency fund here to maximise returns while keeping it liquid.

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For freelancers and gig workers

Recommended combo: DBS Multiplier + POSB Everyday Card

Why it works: You may not have a consistent monthly salary, but you can still earn bonus interest through other categories like dividends, PayLah! usage, or investments. This combo is the most flexible in how it defines income.

Estimated interest: ~1.5% to 3.5% p.a.

Bonus tip: Automate credit card payments and use PayLah! regularly to hit more transaction categories.

For families with recurring bills

Recommended combo: Maybank SaveUp + Maybank Platinum Visa

Why it works: Paying for education, insurance, loans, or a home mortgage? This combo rewards you not just for spending, but for having three or more product relationships with Maybank. You don’t need a fixed salary or a high spend — just existing commitments.

Estimated interest: ~2.0% to 3.0% p.a.

Bonus tip: If you're already a Maybank mortgage or insurance customer, this is a no-brainer.

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The optimisers’ strategy

Example:

• Use the UOB One Card for its high cashback (up to 10% on selected categories)

• Pair it with the OCBC 360 Account, which offers up to 4.65% p.a. on your savings

Why it works:

• One bank may offer superior cashback on your spend, while another provides better interest rates on your savings. By splitting them, you could maximise the value on both ends.

What you gain:

• Better cashback than using the same bank’s card

• More interest on idle funds — especially if your current bank’s savings account is underwhelming

What you’ll need to manage

• Track conditions across two separate platforms

• Ensure salary is credited to the right savings account

• Hit the minimum spend on the correct card

• Possibly lose the “all-in-one” bonus interest synergy some combos offer

Who should consider cross-bank combos?

Financially confident users who:

• Can automate bill payments and salary crediting without error

• Track multiple product requirements each month

• Have large enough balances that a 0.5–1% interest difference makes a meaningful impact

Who should avoid cross-bank combos?

Beginners or busy individuals who:

• Struggle with tracking fine print or remembering banking rules

• Prefer a set-and-forget combo where one login manages everything

• May not consistently meet all the bonus criteria

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While the idea of earning bonus interest just by doing your usual spending sounds like a no-brainer, there are a few common traps to steer clear of. Here's what you need to know before diving into any combo.

Miss a requirement? Say goodbye to bonus interest

These combo accounts typically follow an all-or-nothing model each month.

If you forget to credit your salary, or hit the minimum card spend, your interest for the entire month could drop back to a sad 0.05% p.a.

There's no partial payout and no make-up the following month.

Overspending just to “qualify”

Spending more than you normally would just to unlock bonus interest is a trap.

For example: Spending S$500 on unnecessary items to earn S$30 in bonus interest? You’ve likely lost money overall.

Spend what you already plan to, don’t stretch your budget to meet criteria.

>> More : What are high-interest savings accounts?

Getting locked into products you don't really need

Some banks offer extra interest if you:

• Buy insurance

• Start an investment plan

• Take a home loan

But ask yourself:

Would you have bought those products anyway?

If not, you might be tying up money in something that doesn’t align with your actual needs — just for a slightly higher rate. Don’t let interest rates dictate major financial decisions.

Interest only applies to a capped balance

Most bonus rates only apply to your first S$50,000 or S$100,000. Any amount above that? It usually earns the base 0.05% — or sometimes nothing at all.

Have more than S$100,000? Consider splitting across multiple high-interest accounts to keep all your savings working harder.

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1. Start with one easy combo

If you already:

• Spend S$500+ per month, and

• Have a steady salary credited via GIRO

Then you’re in the perfect position to pick a same-bank combo like:

• UOB One Card + UOB One Account, or
  OCBC 360 Card + OCBC 360 Account

These options require little effort to maintain once set up — and can earn you hundreds of extra dollars per year.

2. Automate everything

Use GIRO or standing instructions to:

• Credit your salary to the right account

• Pay off your credit card bills

• Cover utility and telco payments

This ensures you never miss a requirement and helps you stay consistently eligible for bonus interest.

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3. Don’t chase every promo

Bonus interest is great, but it’s not worth overcommitting to bank products you don’t need.
Only add insurance, investments, or loans to your combo if they already fit your financial plan — not just for a slightly higher rate.

4. Reassess every 6–12 months

Banks change interest rates, tiers, and requirements regularly. What’s competitive today might lag behind tomorrow.

Set a calendar reminder to review your setup at least once a year and check for better combos.